Herb Magley’s Message

To Each and Every One of YOU:

Except for one of you, You have no idea who I am…and I do not know any of you personally, BUT I stand in awe of what you all are trying to accomplish.  My father-in-law died from Younger Onset Alzheimer’s…..my wife’s uncle died from Alzheimer’s and my sister’s husband has been diagnosed with dementia.  Worst of all for me, my best friend and wife was diagnosed at 54 with Younger Onset Alzheimer’s.  We suffered through 11 years of Alzheimer’s, trying our best to make something worthwhile out of an impossible situation that we both knew was a death sentence.  No one around us, save the incredible support group that the Alzheimer’s Association established, knew what we were going through and most people, even our friends, kept their distance from the “Odd Couple”.  They all lived and died in a world that did not wish to deal with dementia…..that turned their backs on us.  Our DFA was the Support group that was formed for the younger victims and their caregivers by the local Alzheimer’s Association.

What you are trying to accomplish is to remove that horrible stigma that surrounds those victims dealing with the disease and us caregivers.  It would have been soooo much easier for us to have lived in the world that you heroes are trying to put together.  You will face an uphill battle and, at times, I know you will be overwhelmed and want to give up.  You may feel that the task is too difficult and that no one may care.  Let me tell you from the millions of us out here who are so praying for your success…..NEVER GIVE UP THE FIGHT…….NEVER!  You are our heroes and we are looking to you for help.

We need you now more than ever…..this disease is an epidemic and it is growing out of control.  I now lead the Support group that was my DFA, that saved my life….and it has grown from a half dozen to more than 2 dozen in a few years. 

Rest assured that your work is being noticed and millions of us are praying for its success. You are truly making a difference….you are giving us something we haven’t had much of lately……HOPE. Please make your dream a reality for the millions who so desperately need what you are trying to accomplish.

Sincerely,

Herb Magley